The egos of people around you

Hi Sundance,

Although other people throw up a lot of conversations which stir up different ego's, we can still aproach them with subjects that will less likely do the same. Just try to approach them in a natural state and communicate with them without worrying too much.

We can for example talk about the weather or things we have seen or heard on the news(paper), music, art or just how for example they went with their studies.

If a person invokes a reaction from you when you are in a group with other people-- the conversation (gossip) for example was about how everybody thought about another person and they want to know your opinion about that person, you could for example answer like this: everyone is free to think and feel whatever they want and then turn around the subject. Or you could answer in this way: everyone has good and bad aspects (and just leave it there). Then throw up another subject.

Even if they react with ego's we can still take advantage of that situation and study our own inner states and see what different ego's manifest within ourselves. In this way we can see the things we need to work upon ourselves. If they react with ego's we don't have to. Just continue with the observation and try to take advantage of the interactions with other people; you will get more experience along the way.

Hi Sundance and Martijn

In the beginning it can be quite startling like you say but keeping a naturalness like Martijn explains without the worry is a very good point. The worry of what others think about us can override our efforts to be clear and observing within us, and then we can fall into what Master Samael describes as 'pysychological slavery' in his book 'The Revolution of the Dialectic'. This may not be your experience but it's something that I find in my various daily interactions with people.

Keep investigating being aware in these situations Sundance, as interactions with others is such a big part of our lives and if you can learn to observe well during those moments and act through awareness, then you can gain a lot of understanding about yourself and about others.

Martijn, your comments in the last paragraph are very helpful Thanks for that.

All the best.

Layla

Hey Everyone,
I personally find this the majority of the challenge!

But i think its a good thing, Some wise words have been said, and very true i agree, it is possible to remain detached and not get to involved in other peoples egos.
And this is your best oppertunity to see the egos arise, i mean the people i live with bring out some egos in me i.e anger, but its good because otherwise i wouldnt have seen that aspect before or if i was living on my own. So there are advantages.
This is what i have found anyways. Martijn gave some good examples of how to avoid identifying in the ego, very good, thanks for that :)

I guess you will find that the more you do the work and rid yourself of these desires and egos, the more apparent they will become in other people, but dont let that distract you from becoming aware of your own.

Hi Sundance,

It is something I also face every day for many years now. An important thing for me was to stop judging others if an ego is seen in them. The ego you see in them, stirs up the egos related to pride in yourself and it develops into a repetitive cycle. It is important to keep awareness and die to the egos coming up in yourself in those situations.This is an ego many gnostic students easily fall prey to.If you keep practicing awareness in those situations, you will find the correct way to act and to die to the egos that arise in yourself. Kind RegardsJ

You attract what you put out. If you are honest with people and tell them what you think and feel, you will find like-minded individuals. After 4 years of college, I can't express how important it is to have good friends that you can talk to about anything. Find people who are genuine and care about things (or, more rare, find people who want to revolutionize themselves), it sucks being alone.
As far as others' egos, keep in mind we're all in this together.
-Julian

Thanks for your advices at everyone. I'm trying to put them in pratice, not always I remember to do it, but it seems going better.

I'm trying to stop judging others (although I think to almost observe and not judge) and when i realise they are just egos and there is a soul beyond them I feel compassion and love for these people, is not matter what they do or say.
But I don't understand if it's a ego this too.

Sundance

Sounds like a good realization Sundance. The way people are and the things they do and say just reflect the thoughts and feelings in them that are in charge at the time. Sometimes the things about other people that make us most uncomfortable, are the same things that we struggle with too.

You might find that as you change internally, other people change their approach to you, and you meet different kinds of people, and you can have more harmonious relationships with others even though the only thing that's changed is you.